PYC4805 Examination Student No: 4646-325-9
September 28, 2021
PYC4805 Developmental Psychology Examination
Student Number: 4646-325-9
, PYC4805 Examination Student No: 4646-325-9
QUESTION A1
Evaluate the potential threats that occur during a sensitive period in human
development. Consider how these may impact the various competencies of a
newborn and infant. Refer to relevant research findings to validate your discussion.
Answer
There are many threats that can occur during a sensitive period in human development.
These threats are known as teratogens and come in many different forms. A teratogen is
any substance that enters the womb and causes harm to the fetus. A sensitive period is a
time when a new organ or system is said to be activating or coming “online” it is during
these initial stages that a fetus is most vulnerable. The first 0-8 weeks after implantation are
the most vulnerable for an embryo or fetus though teratogens can have an impact on both
mother and baby throughout the entire pregnancy. Before implantation, teratogens have an
all or nothing impact, they either leave the newly formed embryo unscathed or they can
cause death and result the embryo not implanting and a miscarriage occurring.
Threats can come from both internal and external sources.
External or outside threats include but are not limited to some of the following
Medication
Doctors will often withhold medication or avoid prescribing medications for at least the first
trimester (unless essential) as it is during this time that the fetus is most vulnerable to this.
There are many medications which can cause developmental malformations and result in
disabilities, disputations and or delays once the baby is born.
Recreational Drugs, Smoking and Alcohol
Recreational drugs can have a devastating effect on a fetus, a newborn baby and ultimately
can have life long lasting effects. Women who abuse drugs during their pregnancy can give
birth to drug addicted babies. This can have devastating effects on development and may
result in a predisposition to addiction in later life. As essentially the baby will need to detox
from the drug and essentially has an addiction before being born it may leave them more
vulnerable to addiction during later years when peers may be experimenting and will also
impair the abilities of a newborn severely.
From research done over many years, we know that smoking can result in babies being born
with a low birth weight. Smoking reduced appetite of the mother as well as restricts blood
vessels and lessens the flow of blood and nutrients to the baby. We know that this can lead
to a low birth weight which ultimately can have enduring affects. Studies done in Sweden
during a time when the flow of food was severely restricted and many went hungry, it was
named “the Hungry Winter” studies were done on babies born during this time and it was
found that in while they experienced developmental delays as a both a new born and as
they grew, they also had other complications later in life such as heart disease and shorter
life expectancies.
September 28, 2021
PYC4805 Developmental Psychology Examination
Student Number: 4646-325-9
, PYC4805 Examination Student No: 4646-325-9
QUESTION A1
Evaluate the potential threats that occur during a sensitive period in human
development. Consider how these may impact the various competencies of a
newborn and infant. Refer to relevant research findings to validate your discussion.
Answer
There are many threats that can occur during a sensitive period in human development.
These threats are known as teratogens and come in many different forms. A teratogen is
any substance that enters the womb and causes harm to the fetus. A sensitive period is a
time when a new organ or system is said to be activating or coming “online” it is during
these initial stages that a fetus is most vulnerable. The first 0-8 weeks after implantation are
the most vulnerable for an embryo or fetus though teratogens can have an impact on both
mother and baby throughout the entire pregnancy. Before implantation, teratogens have an
all or nothing impact, they either leave the newly formed embryo unscathed or they can
cause death and result the embryo not implanting and a miscarriage occurring.
Threats can come from both internal and external sources.
External or outside threats include but are not limited to some of the following
Medication
Doctors will often withhold medication or avoid prescribing medications for at least the first
trimester (unless essential) as it is during this time that the fetus is most vulnerable to this.
There are many medications which can cause developmental malformations and result in
disabilities, disputations and or delays once the baby is born.
Recreational Drugs, Smoking and Alcohol
Recreational drugs can have a devastating effect on a fetus, a newborn baby and ultimately
can have life long lasting effects. Women who abuse drugs during their pregnancy can give
birth to drug addicted babies. This can have devastating effects on development and may
result in a predisposition to addiction in later life. As essentially the baby will need to detox
from the drug and essentially has an addiction before being born it may leave them more
vulnerable to addiction during later years when peers may be experimenting and will also
impair the abilities of a newborn severely.
From research done over many years, we know that smoking can result in babies being born
with a low birth weight. Smoking reduced appetite of the mother as well as restricts blood
vessels and lessens the flow of blood and nutrients to the baby. We know that this can lead
to a low birth weight which ultimately can have enduring affects. Studies done in Sweden
during a time when the flow of food was severely restricted and many went hungry, it was
named “the Hungry Winter” studies were done on babies born during this time and it was
found that in while they experienced developmental delays as a both a new born and as
they grew, they also had other complications later in life such as heart disease and shorter
life expectancies.
